Day two Hero Women’s Indian Open leader Hitaashee Bakshi discusses a shot with her caddie Sachin at the DLF Golf and Country Cliub on Friday. Image courtesy HWIO.
By Rahul Banerji
Hitaashee Bakshi became the second home golfer to lead the Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club in as many days with a flawless run on Friday.
After Vani Kapoor ended the first day atop the leaderboard, it was Hitaashee’s turn to set the pace with a bogey-free 5 under par 67, and see three other Indian in the top 10.
The 21-year-old daughter of an Indian Army officer was on 7 under 137, one shot ahead of Germany’s Verena Gimmy (68-70) and 17-year-old amateur Zara Anand (68-70) on 6 under 138.
Pranavi Urs (72-67) surged into tied fourth alongside Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini (71-68) on 5 under 139 while Vani (67-74) was shared seventh on 3 under 141 with Shannon Tan of Singapore and Alice Hewson of England.
Sweden’s Lisa Petterson (71-69) held sole possession of fourth place on 4 under 140.
But for a late double-bogey on hole 17 when her tee shot went longer than expected, Zara, with coach Amit Dube on the bag, could well have had the lead but recovered superbly with birdie on 18.
The US-bound teenager was unfazed by the blip, saying later, “Got the heart rate up a bit there. My tee shot went through the fairway into the rough.
Changing challenge
“I’m just enjoying every shot and every moment out there and just taking it as it comes. I’m just looking forward to the weekend and just grateful to be here.
“I don’t really think there is a code to DLF, every day is different, every hole is different, but the more I play here, the more comfortable I get on the greens. I’m just looking forward to the weekend.”
This is the first time Hitaashee is leading a Ladies European Tour event. “I am feeling good, this is my home course,” she said. “My expectations are where it should be and I’m really happy with that.
“Today, I teed off at 6.40 am and that is exactly the time I usually play here at this course. So I just felt so normal to me that even if there was dew on the course, even if it was wet,
“I was like, I have played it so many times, that’s just a normal round of golf for me.”
Indian golfers held the spotlight right through the day as Hitaashee lit up the morning session, then it was Zara and Pranavi’s turn to shine in the fading evening light.
Teenaged amateur Zara Anand, tied for seecond place, in action on day two of the Hero Women’s Indian Open in Gurgaon on Friday. Image courtesy HWIO.
Solid display
In all, a dozen Indians made the cut including Avani Prashanth (73-71) and Amandeep Drall (74-70) at tied 14th, Durga Nittur (70-75) at tied 18th, and Ridhima Dilawari (75-72) in tied 28th.
Hitaashee’s elder sister, Jahanvi(75-73), and Jasmine Shekar (75-73) were in a share of 31st place, Tvesa Malik (74-75) was tied for 39th and Diksha Dagar (78-72) was tied 46th.
A total of 70 players survived the cut which came at 8 over 152, allowing defending champion Liz Young of England make it into the weekend rounds at 6 over 150.
Germany’s Gimmy, in shared second with Zara, said, “I’ve been working really hard, it’s just not really clicking. So I’m glad maybe we’ll find something this week.
Going with the flow
“Like I said, I’m just going to try and enjoy it as much as I can. I’ve always wanted to come here, so I’m glad I can.”
Pranavi, who had three birdies on either side of the course, said, “I think my putts dropped today.
“I was more committed with starting it on line and the speed and stuff. So it was good. The putting was the change in the game from yesterday and today.
“Definitely, I am a lot more confident than I was a few months ago. I always know that I can do well but to actually do it and finish top 5 is just like a booster that I got from last week and hopefully I can carry that this week.”
Also read: Vani leads at Hero Women’s Indian Open as Indians start well
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